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Tapioca for Bubble Tea – Preparation, Tips & Size Comparison

on November 11, 2025

Tapioca: The star ingredient in bubble tea and how to prepare it perfectly.

Bubble tea with tapioca pearls in a glass – prepared at home

What is tapioca?

Tapioca is obtained from the cassava root. When cooked, the white pearls swell, become glassy and elastic – the familiar tapioca pearls .

Recipe: How to properly prepare tapioca

Tapioca pearls when cooked in a pot – BobaBit

🧂 Step 1 – Preparation: Prepare 250g of tapioca pearls and 2.5l of water. Bring the water to a boil.

🔥 Step 2 – Cooking: Add the pearls and simmer gently for about 25 minutes. Stir occasionally.

Step 3 – Let it rest: Remove from the heat, cover and let it stand for 30 minutes.

💧 Step 4 – Rinse & Sweeten: Rinse with cold water and soak in syrup (2.5 kg Possmei) or honey.

Cooked tapioca pearls in syrup – ready to serve for bubble tea

Diameter & Consistency

Large pearls require approximately 20 minutes of cooking time plus resting time. A generous water ratio (1 part pearls : 8-10 parts water) and regular stirring are important to prevent sticking.

Tapioca pearls before and after cooking – size comparison 2–11 mm

Tips & Variations

  • For fruit or brown sugar style pearls, briefly marinate in syrup .
  • Consume cooked pearls within 14–20 hours; keep refrigerated.
  • Ice cream makes it summery and fresh; served warm, it goes well with milk tea.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to cook tapioca?
Simmer for about 25 minutes, then let it steep for 30 minutes.
Can you eat tapioca the next day?
Yes, if it is stored in syrup and consumed within 20 hours.
What can you use to sweeten tapioca?
With brown sugar, honey or sugar syrup – depending on the desired flavor.
How long do tapioca pearls last?
Cooked pearls are best consumed within 14–20 hours. Unopened dry pearls usually have a shelf life of 12–24 months (refer to package instructions).
Which water is suitable for cooking?
Soft to medium-hard water ensures a uniform texture; very hard water can increase cooking time.

Conclusion

Tapioca is easy to prepare, versatile, and the heart of every bubble tea. For a quick start at home: convenient bubble tea sets and creamy milk tea powder (1 kg) are available at BobaBit.

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